RIYADH (Dunya News) - The Arab-Islamic summit in its communique called on the United Nations Security Council to issue a binding resolution enforcing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and facilitating urgent access to humanitarian aid, and urged the countries who are providing arms to Israel to stop the supply.
The Arab League-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit was held in the Saudi capital Riyadh to address escalating crises in Gaza and Lebanon, both facing a barrage of Israeli attacks.
“We call on all countries to ban the export or transfer of weapons and ammunition to Israel; urging countries to join the initiative proposed by the Republic of Türkiye and the core group consisting of (18) countries, which was signed by (52) countries, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States, and to send a joint letter to the UN Security Council, the President of the UN General Assembly and the UN Secretary-General to halt the provision of arms to Israel, and to invite all countries to sign it,” read the communique.
The summit participants also commended “the efforts of Egypt and Qatar, in cooperation with the United States (US), toward reaching a swift and lasting ceasefire in Gaza,” and held Israel accountable for “backtracking on agreements”.
The summit participants “reaffirm the full sovereignty of the State of Palestine over occupied East Al-Quds, the eternal capital of Palestine, and reject any Israeli decisions or measures aimed at Judaizing it and consolidating its colonial occupation of the city, considering such decisions and measures null, void and illegitimate under international law and relevant United Nations’ resolutions, considering Al-Quds Al-Sharif a red line for the Arab and Islamic nations, and reaffirming our absolute solidarity in protecting the Arab and Islamic identity of occupied East Al-Quds and in defending the sanctity of the holy Islamic and Christian sites therein.”
The Riyadh summit also warned against the spread of the aggression that has lasted more than a year on Gaza and has expanded to include Lebanon, as well as the violation of the sovereignty of Iraq, Syria and Iran.
The summit warned that this could continue “without decisive international measures and international inaction.”
It reaffirmed its commitment to Lebanon’s security, stability, and sovereignty, condemning deliberate attacks on the Lebanese army, civilians, and the UN peacekeeping force in the country.
The communique stressed the importance of ensuring Lebanon’s safety and protecting its citizens amid regional instability.
The summit condemned Israel’s policy of collective punishment in Gaza, specifically its use of blockades and starvation tactics against civilians.
It denounced the “shocking and horrific crimes” committed by Israeli forces in Gaza and demanded an independent international investigation to hold those responsible accountable.